Insurance not paying out for total loss
Discussion
I was involved in a (non-fault) accident back in July. The insurers deemed the car a total loss and then of course low-balled me with a valuation. I declined their offer and went through a bit of a pain staking process but eventually managed to get them to up it by 70%. All good so far.
This is where it gets hazy. I pay an insurance broker for my insurance policy, the insurance is provided by an underwriter, which is not unusual. Now the claim is managed by an accident management company... Drum roll please... Winn solicitors. At no point did I ever request Winn solicitors manage my claim, I was automatically put through to them when I reported the incident.
Now when Winn declared the car a total loss and low-balled me with the initial valuation, they were fairly quick to give me that initial pay out. Citing that the remainder, inclusive of my successful dispute of the valuation (the additional 70%) would be paid in due course. It hasn't. Unfortunately (but perhaps expectedly) the other party are pursuing a 50/50 liability split. Winn have categorically rejected this offer on the basis of the incident and witnesses who provided statements.
We're now 5 months down the line and I've been fairly patient and not bugged them too much. Every time I do call, I'm told we're chasing the other party for the money/acceptance of liability. I lost my patience today, I've tried to explain that disputes between insurers are exactly that. Why should I stand to be out of pocket and not be able to pay for another similar car when I have legally valid car insurance policy?
Am I being unreasonable here? Surely I should get my money and then the insurers fight it out right? If it is somehow deemed 50/50 then okay it'll affect my insurance down the line and/or I'll be expected to pay the excess, so be it. Why is the money for the car being held back?
This is where it gets hazy. I pay an insurance broker for my insurance policy, the insurance is provided by an underwriter, which is not unusual. Now the claim is managed by an accident management company... Drum roll please... Winn solicitors. At no point did I ever request Winn solicitors manage my claim, I was automatically put through to them when I reported the incident.
Now when Winn declared the car a total loss and low-balled me with the initial valuation, they were fairly quick to give me that initial pay out. Citing that the remainder, inclusive of my successful dispute of the valuation (the additional 70%) would be paid in due course. It hasn't. Unfortunately (but perhaps expectedly) the other party are pursuing a 50/50 liability split. Winn have categorically rejected this offer on the basis of the incident and witnesses who provided statements.
We're now 5 months down the line and I've been fairly patient and not bugged them too much. Every time I do call, I'm told we're chasing the other party for the money/acceptance of liability. I lost my patience today, I've tried to explain that disputes between insurers are exactly that. Why should I stand to be out of pocket and not be able to pay for another similar car when I have legally valid car insurance policy?
Am I being unreasonable here? Surely I should get my money and then the insurers fight it out right? If it is somehow deemed 50/50 then okay it'll affect my insurance down the line and/or I'll be expected to pay the excess, so be it. Why is the money for the car being held back?
Unfortunately, Accident Management Companies seem to get involved and make things more complicated rather than less.
Is the payment received so far from your own insurers or have Winn made a claim on your behalf against the other party's insurer? If it's the latter this might well explain why they are seeking to agree liability before you are paid out.
Have you gone back to your broker and asked them to clarify the situation? If they are not being helpful, follow their complaints procedure.
Is the payment received so far from your own insurers or have Winn made a claim on your behalf against the other party's insurer? If it's the latter this might well explain why they are seeking to agree liability before you are paid out.
Have you gone back to your broker and asked them to clarify the situation? If they are not being helpful, follow their complaints procedure.
MrBen.911 said:
Unfortunately, Accident Management Companies seem to get involved and make things more complicated rather than less.
Is the payment received so far from your own insurers or have Winn made a claim on your behalf against the other party's insurer? If it's the latter this might well explain why they are seeking to agree liability before you are paid out.
Have you gone back to your broker and asked them to clarify the situation? If they are not being helpful, follow their complaints procedure.
The payment received so far Winn claimed from the other party. Yes I have gone back to the broker who have basically said because you have gone through the accident management company (again not something I chose to do) rather than my own underwriter, I will simply have to wait until the third party pays the full costs. Quite ridiculous really. Is the payment received so far from your own insurers or have Winn made a claim on your behalf against the other party's insurer? If it's the latter this might well explain why they are seeking to agree liability before you are paid out.
Have you gone back to your broker and asked them to clarify the situation? If they are not being helpful, follow their complaints procedure.
Edited by asimmalik on Friday 12th December 16:50
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